Kenyan senators have called for the immediate arrest of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Kipkoech Lagat following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Ojwang, who was arrested in Homa Bay County on June 6, 2025, was transferred to Nairobi’s Central Police Station and found dead the following day. Authorities initially claimed he died after hitting his head against a cell wall, but an autopsy revealed multiple injuries, including head trauma and neck compression, raising suspicions of foul play.
The Senate’s call for action is part of a broader effort to hold police accountable for alleged abuses. In recent months, senators have demanded the arrest of public officials, including governors, who have failed to honor summonses from Senate committees. For instance, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo was ordered to be arrested for ignoring multiple summonses, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja faced similar demands over his failure to appear before the Senate Energy Committee.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating Ojwang’s death, and police officers on duty during the incident have been suspended. However, activists and human rights organizations argue that the investigation lacks transparency and that junior officers are being scapegoated to protect higher-ranking officials.
The incident has sparked protests in Nairobi, with demonstrators demanding justice for Ojwang and an end to police brutality. The government’s response to these calls will likely influence public trust in its commitment to human rights and accountability.
As the investigation continues, the Senate’s demand for the arrest of DIG Lagat underscores the growing pressure on law enforcement to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their position, are held accountable for their actions.
